Ukrainian mining and steel producing group Metinvest has announced its intention to shut down coke production at its Azovstal steel mill through the decommissioning of two remaining outdated coke batteries. Following the shutdown, Metinvest will optimize its coke supply chain and effectively reduce environmental emissions in the city of Mariupol, Ukraine.
Azovstal's coke batteries Nos. 6 and 7, which were put into operation in the 1960s, will be decommissioned by the end of the current month of October. The decommissioning has been enabled by the successful completion in October of hot testing of the pulverized coal injection (PCI) unit at Metinvest's nearly Ilyich Steel mill.
In June this year, Azovstal's coke battery No. 5 was put out of work and decommissioned.